Simple Joint Box + Box Joint Jig

Yesterday I finished my first Jig, ( Box Joint Jig) (see attached pictures) still need a couple of minor tune ups that I didn’t realized untill I started cutting the joint fingers of my first box ever. I did use some scrap of red oak that was on my garage for a couple of years, it measure 5 1/2” on each side by 4” tall. I used polyurathane gel as a protective finish. I’m really happy with the final results of the box, I know I can do better than that, but I think is not that bad for a beginner like me.

I will appreciate any comments that could help me improve me techniques.

Alonso

-- The things I make may be for others, but how I make them is for me.

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14 comments so far

“redwood”?....did you mean Red Oak ? The joints look fine as well as the jig that you made ! Did you design it yourself or make it from plans ? The fingers ended up perfect from top to bottom …very nice indeed : )

The comment ” a penchant for precision” is a bit of a joke when they reference the cut off the table saw insert. I’ve yet to see an insert that was level with the table. The same applies for router table inserts.

looking at the jig – I’m not sure if it’s the photo, or the jig, but there seems to be a hairline difference between the masonite backer board, and the rest of the jig- if the masonite is indeed ‘indented’ in the fence, than there could potentially be some gap behind your cut piece, which could lead to tearout as the back is not fully supported (tightly) – try shimming it, and make sure the box part is fully supported behind the cut – it has nothing to do with your zero clearance plate which helps chipping on the horizontal surface (the chipping seems to be in the vertical line) – in this case, your box joint masonite fence IS the zero clearance insert – so just need to make sure it support the piece properly.

PurpLev Totally makes sense, in fact yes, there is a tiny gap between the hardboard backer and the rest of the jig (about 1/32” or 1/16” gap) thanks for that great info, I’ll post the results after fixing the little gap.

Thanks PurpLev

-- The things I make may be for others, but how I make them is for me.